A Gwinnett police dog who was shot last year is being retired after having his leg amputated.

Gwinnett County Police Chief J.D. McClure asked the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in February for approval to retire the animal, named Kai, which was a narcotics and patrol dog who has been with the department since August 2021. He will be retired to his handler, Cpl. Aaron Carlyle.

During a May 2022 incident, Kai was shot while helping police respond to an aggravated battery call in Lawrenceville. When police arrived, the suspect had already fled to a nearby woods. Officers, including a helicopter and K-9 units, were called in for a search. The suspect fired shots as officers approached and Kai was hit.

The Gwinnett Animal Clinic recommended that Kai be retired because his amputation could cause both him and officers harm.

“I also suggest that Kai be retired since it would be impossible to predict if/when any limitations that are the result of his amputation could endanger the safety of an officer and/or a citizen,” veterinarian J.W. Wallis said in a letter.

Kai has been involved in various police community events since the amputation.

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8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

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